10 Fast Facts on Amal Clooney

Long before Amal Clooney (formerly Amal Alamuddin) was turning heads as George Clooney’s fiancée, she was internationally known — for her career. A barrister, international human rights lawyer, and University of Oxford graduate, Amal has been wowing her colleagues and clients for years.

Here are 10 facts on this very accomplished lady:

1. She is fluent in English, Arabic, and French. NBD.

2. She was born in Beirut, Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War. When she was two years old, her family moved to a London suburb.

3. She has represented many high-profile clients. Amal was part of the team that represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in his extradition trial. Other big-deal clients include former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, former Libyan intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi, Enron, and the state of Cambodia. She is also representing jailed Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy.

4. She interned with future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Back then, she was a student at NYU School of Law.

5. Her parents have had glittering careers too. Her father is a retired business professor at the American University of Beirut. Her mother is a journalist, broadcaster, and editor at al-Hayat newspaper, and has interviewed many heads of state.

6. She attended an all-girls grammar school in Buckinghamshire from her tweens to her teens. Single-sex education works.

7. She turned down a position with the UN. The UN crafted a three-member commission to investigate possible violations of the rules of war in Gaza. Amal was offered a slot but declined due to her workload, saying in a statement: “I am horrified by the situation in the occupied Gaza Strip… I am honoured to have received the offer, but given existing commitments — including eight ongoing cases — unfortunately could not accept this role. I wish my colleagues who will serve on the commission courage and strength in their endeavors."

10. When a reporter joked that she probably wears Versace to the courtroom, Amal shut it down. She retorted that she actually wears Ede & Ravenscroft, a company that's been crafting formal legal wear for European judges and lawyers for more than 300 years.